Body found near reservoir

A body has been discovered in the Mokelumne River just west of Salt Springs Reservoir.

Deputies with the Calaveras and Amador sheriff’s offices were at the scene on Monday recovering the body. The reservoir straddles the Calaveras-Amador county line.

The body wasn’t identified, but one person — Stockton man Steve Leslie Sid — is believed to have vanished in the area last spring. Sid, 52, was reportedly last seen on June 7 at the Moore Creek Campground.

Some members of Sid’s family, including his wife, suspect foul play, according to published reports.

Limited information on the recovery operation was available Monday. Amador County Undersheriff James Wegner confirmed that hikers or anglers reported a leg floating in the water about 2 p.m. Sunday. Deputies recovered the leg Sunday night, Wegner said. In doing so, they also discovered the rest of the body.

Wegner said the body and leg are “significantly decomposed.”

He said his office has a lead on the body’s identity, but he wouldn’t elaborate.

“We have to determine cause and manner of death and identity, and contact next of kin,” he said.

More information was expected to be released today.

Dave Sewell, Calaveras County Sheriff Department spokes-man, noted that the body was found in a remote location, likely making the recovery effort an all-day affair. He estimated it would take four to five hours to reach the area from Sonora.